CHAPTER III. “THERE IS A CHANGE!”
When Edith and Miss Santley reached the Vicarage, they went into the parlour, which, besides having a western exposure, commanded to a considerable distance a view of the high-road along which the vicar had passed.
“I always think this is the pleasantest room in the house,” said Miss Santley, as she drew an armchair into the recess of the open window, and Edith seated herself on the couch. “Charles prefers an eastern frontage, for the sake of the early morning, he says; but I am always. busy in the morning, so I suppose I like the afternoon light best, when I have a little time to sit and bask.”
“Isn’t it natural, too,” suggested Edith, “that men should prefer sunrise and women sunset? Men are so active and sanguine, and have so many interests to engage their attention, and women—well, as a rule—are such dreamers! Is it not almost constitutional?”
“And when did you ever see me dreaming, may I ask?” inquired Miss Santley.
“Oh no; you are not one of the dreamers,” replied Edith, quickly. “You should have been called Martha instead of Mary.”
“Insinuating that I am a bit of a busybody, eh?” said Miss Santley, with a sly twinkle of humour.
“You know I did not mean to insinuate that.”
“Or that you had yourself chosen the better part, eh?” she continued gaily.
Edith coloured deeply, and cast her eyes on the floor, while an expression of pain passed across her face.